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Sinaga case: What Indonesia can learn from the UK in handling sexual violence
For two past years, a Greater Manchester Police investigation team and prosecutors worked in silence as they scrutinized Reynhard’s role in one of the most shocking sexual assault cases in UK criminal history.
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An undated handout photograph released by Greater Manchester Police on Monday shows Indonesian student Reynhard Sinaga.
(AFP/ GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE)
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efore Sunday, almost no one heard about Reynhard Sinaga, an Indonesian student who has been living in Manchester, the United Kingdom, since 2007.
For two past years, a Greater Manchester Police investigation team and prosecutors worked in silence as they scrutinized Reynhard’s role in one of the most shocking sexual assault cases in UK criminal history. Journalists attended the case’s four trial hearings but were restricted from publishing a word about it to ensure that Reynhard would have a fair trial and with the thought of protecting his victims.
The world finally learned about Reynhard the day the Manchester Crown Court sentenced him to 88 concurrent life sentences, finding him guilty of sexually assaulting and drugging 48 men in his apartment in the English city. Investigators had found evidence in the form of video recordings that Reynhard had made himself as he sexually assaulted 190 people, many of whom have still not been identified.
The way the Manchester Police handled the case — prioritizing the victims’ perspectives and finding justice for them while ensuring they received the best treatment for their trauma — only emphasized what Indonesia has not been able to do.
As Reynhard continues to make headlines both around the world and at home, many hope that the government, law enforcement, universities, communities and the media can learn from the way British authorities handled the case as it unfolded.
The university responds
